Loose-leaf binder



May 14, 1940. UNGER AL r 2,200,460

- LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Filed April 2, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 WII Jl.

,1. M W h.

INVENTORS PAUL. 0. UNGER FRED D WEDGE fTORNE Y May '14, 1940. l 0. UNGERr AL LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Filed April 2, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 5R5 56 0 GDE K MNE m 52 muw m z 77% WO M ll.|ril\ l L H 110 ||||I I UE H Tm May 14,1940. UNGER ET 2.200.460

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Filed April 2, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 5 INVEA-VTORS 5PAUL 0. UNGEI? 4 BY fkED D WEDGE I -35 57 5 4! ATTORNEY.

Patented May 14, 1940 warren stares LOOSE-LEAF BINDER- setts ApplicationApril 2, 1934, Serial No. 718,646

21 Claims.

This invention relates to a loose-leaf binder which may be expanded tovary its capacity.

It is an object of this invention to provide a loose-leaf binder ofvariable capacity capable of holding a plurality of sheets undercompression. It is a further object of this invention to provide meansfor adjusting the back of the binder to the contents with greateraccuracy than has heretofore been possible. this invention will becomeapparent upon reading the following description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the back of a loose-leaf binder embodyingthe invention, with parts broken away to facilitate illustration of thestructure;

Figure 2 is a rear plan view of the binder back with the outer roundedback plate removed;

Figure 3 is a cros sectional view of the binder;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the ratchet and pawlmechanism for controlling the expansion of the binder;

Figure 5 is a longitudinalsectional view taken generally along the lineVV of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is an end elevation of the binder; Figure 7 is a longitudinalsectional View taken generally along the line VII-VII of Figure 3;

Figure 8 is a rear plan View of a modified embodiment of the invention,with parts broken away to facilitate illustration of the structure;

Figure 9 is a cross sectional View taken generally along the lineIX-JXof Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective View of the binder associatedwith a modified form of post bars;

Figure 11 is a perspective 'view of another embodiment of the invention;and

Figure 12 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment illustrated inFigure 11.

In the drawings, the reference numeral 2 indicates a pair of covermembers connected to opposite edges of a pair. of compression members 3and 4 having upstandingside walls 5 and 8, respectively. A metal platemember 1 is secured to each compression member by means of rivets 8 orsimilar securing means. The inner edge of each cover member ispositioned between the upstanding side wall of one compression memberand one plate member 7 and is permanently held therein by means of therivetst which pass therethrough. The plate member i is provided with ahorizontal flange 9, overlying the outer edge of the compression member,and a vertical flange H1 at each end of the plate member.

Other objects of The flanges 9 and i ii facilitate proper positioning ofa pair of post bars I! and maintain the post bars in position in thebinder. The post bars are of a length equal to the distance between theflanges l and are each provided with a projection l2 on each end so thatlongitudinal displacement of the post bars is impossible after they havebeen properly positioned. Each post bar is provided at its top edge witha plurality of projections l3 which are preferably formed by bending theedge of the post bar. The lower edges of the post bars may have similarprojections to increase the eilective thickness of the post bars. Thelower edge is also provided with a plurality of notches It to provideadequate 15 clearance for various parts of the binder mechanism.

. A plurality of sheet retaining posts or prongs [5 are permanentlysecured to each post bar I! in any suitable manner. The sheet retainingposts or prongs are shown as being curved in cross section so as toprovide a greater area of contact with the edges of the apertures It ofthe sheets I! impaled thereon, It is obvious, however that flat prongsor prongs of any desired configuration can be substituted for the prongsshown in the drawings. Each post bar I I is provided at its upper edgewith a notch l8 opposite each sheet retaining prong secured to theotherpost bar so that the free end of each prong may be positioned under theflange 9 of the opposite post barwhen the binder is compressed to itsminimum position.

A modified form of post bar l9 having round telescoping sheet retainingposts or prongs 2B and 2| is shown in Figure 10. In this embodiment thebar project slightly above the flanges 9. A plurality of projections 22are provided to fit under the flanges 9. The lower edge of each post barmay be provided with a plurality of projections 23 which increase theeffective thickness of the bar.

In Figures 11 and 12 one of the'post bars and one edge of the binder arethe same as in the other modifications. The other edge of the binder isprovided with a hinged plate 24 to which a post bar 25 is permanentlysecured by riveting or welding.

The binder is provided with a back member which include a flat plate 26and a rounded I plurality of closely spaced points.

28 do not project above the surface of the plate. A reinforcing bridgemember 3| may be positioned to straddle the tongue 28 to furnish addedrigidity to the connection between the members 26 and 21. The roundedplate 2'! is provided with a metal strap 32 welded thereto to support itat its opposite end. The plate member 26 is provided with a plurality oflongitudinal slots 33 for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

The compression members 3 and 4 are cut out on their inner edges, asindicated at 34, to allow room for a centralizing bar 35 positionedadjacent the plate member 26 by means of rivets or studs 36 which arepermanently fixed to the bar 35 and project through the slots 33. Thecentralizing bar is connected to the compression members 3 and Q bymeans of a plurality of toggle links 31. Accordingly, whenever thecompression members 3 and i move transversely, the centra-lizing barmust move longitudinally. If the longitudinal movement of the bar isstopped at any point, further transverse movement of the compressionmembers in the same direction is prevented until the stop means isreleased. The slots 33 are of uniform length and provide positive stopsto limit the total travel of the bar 35 and consequently of thecompression members. Opposite ends of the plate member 26 are bent up,as indicated at 33, to provide a pair of channel members in which theends of the compression members are adapted to move transversely.

A plate member 39 is secured against the underside of the back plate 26by means of the rivets or studs 36 which secure the bar 35 against thetop side of the back plate. One edge of the plate 35 is provided with aplurality of teeth or similar projections 40. Since the plate or rack 33is rigidly connected to the centralizing bar 35 by the studs 36, anycontrol of the motion of the member 33 will similarly control the motionof the bar 35 and the compression members 3 and 4.

A stud 4i secures a pair of superimposed pawl members 42 to the backplate 26 in proximity to the rack 39 so that the pawl teeth may engage ethe teeth ll of the rack. The rack is as thick as the combined thicknessof the two pawl members so that the teeth of either pawl member may havea substantial engagement with theteeth of the rack. The teeth of thepawl members 42 are offset longitudinally relative to each other so thatwhen the pawls are in engagement with the teeth 58 and the binder iscompressed each pawl member engages the teeth 43 alternately to providepositive stops against outward movement at a In order to provide apositive stop it is necessary for the teeth to have substantialdimensions. The sub stantial size of the teeth necessary for strengthmakes it impossible to secure fine adjustment with a single pawl member.With two ofiset pawl members however, it is possible to adjust thecompression members to fit very closely against the contents of thebinder.

A fiat spring G3 having one and secured to the plate 26 at M and theother end secured to the upper end of the pawl at 45 is provided foreach of the pawls 62. The springs 43 constantly urge the pawl membersinto engagement with the teeth (iii to prevent outward transversemovement of the compression members.

Disengagement of the pawl members 42 from the teeth 65 against theaction of the springs 43 is accomplished by means of a lever 46- whichis pivoted to the back plate 28 at 4'5 and has a pin 48 positioned in anotch 49 in the lower end of each pawl member. The lower end of thelever 46 is bent around the end of the back plate 26, as indicated at50, and is provided with a handle 5i accessible from the end of thebinder so that the lever may be shifted easily. A plate member 52 bentaround the end of the back plate 26 is provided with a notch 53 in whichthe end of the lever is positioned. The notch 53 is just wide enough toregulate the lateral movement of the lever. The plate 52 is spaced fromthe back plate by means of a pair of metal blocks 54 to allow a spacefor the ends 55 of the metal strap 32 to be received between the backplate 26 and the plate 52. The plate 52, spacing blocks 54 and backplate 26 are welded together to form a rigid structure.

The lever 46 is provided with an aperture 56 adapted to fit over aprojection 51 depending from the back plate 26 to hold the lever in openposition and to prevent accidental movement of the lever. The projection51 is rounded somewhat so that lateral pressure on the lever 46 willdisengage the aperture 53 and the projection 51. It will be understoodthat the purpose of the aperture 56 and the projection 51 is not toprevent movement of the lever 46, but is merely to prevent accidentalmovement. The lever is provided with a shoulder 58 against which apermanent lock is adapted to abut. No permanent lock is illustrated,'but a suitable permanent lock is disclosed in the prior application ofPaul O. Unger, Serial No. 708,757, filed January 29, 1934, which issuedas Patent No. 1,996,940 on April 9, 1935.

The binder is provided with a cover plate 59 having depending flanges 50to space it above the toggle mechanism of the binder. The flanges 60 arenotched, as indicated at 6!, to provide the necessary clearance for thetoggle links. The cover plate imparts a finished appearance to theinside of the binder back and protects the mechanism.

The operation of the binder is very simple. Starting with the binder inclosed position as shown in Figure l, the lever 45 is moved to theright, to move the pawls 42 out of engagement with the rack 35. Figure 2clearly shows the structure causing the pawls to move out of engagementwith the rack. The compression members may then be moved outwardly bypulling on the cover members or compression members until the binder isopen wide enough to permit removal of bars I! and prongs l5 to receivethe sheets. The sheets are then impaled on the posts or prongs of thepost bars and the sheet retaining unit is positioned between thecompression members. The lever is then preferably moved to closedposition and the compression members are moved inwardly until they fittightly against the post bars. During this inward movement of thecompression members one pawl is moved into engagement with the teeth 40by its spring 43 while the other one is forced up the incline of theteeth 43 out of engagement. When the second pawl falls into engagementwith the next tooth 40, the first pawl is moved up the incline. Ifdesired, the lever can be left in open position until the compressionmembers are moved in as far as possible, and then moved to closedposition. In either case the compression members are adjusted veryclosely to the contents of the binder. V

In Figures 8 and 9 a modified form of securing means is shown forholding the rounded plate 21 to the flat plate 62 which replaces theplate 26. The plate 62 is provided with a plurality of slots 63 anddepressed portions 66 adjacent thereto. A reinforcing plate 65 welded tothe rounded plate 21 is provided with a plurality of tongues 66 adaptedto project through the slots 63 and be bent against the depressedportions of the plate 62 to secure the rounded back plate to the flatplate.

The only other difference between the embodiment illustrated in Figures8 and 9 and the em-' bodiment of Figures 1 to 7, inclusive, is in thespecific means for moving the lever 61 which replaces the lever 46. Thelever 6'! is provided with a lateral extension 68 which is provided witha plurality of spaced apertures 69. A cylinder lock 10 is secured to theplate 62 adjacent the end of the lever 67 by means of a housing H. Theshaft 12 of the lock projects beyond the housing and has a toothed wheel13 rigidly fixed thereto. The teeth of the wheel 13 engage the apertures69 so that when the shaft is rotated by means of a key 14 the teeth ofthe wheel 13 move the lever so that the pawls are moved into and out ofengagement with the rack. The lock 16 is constructed so that the key 14may be moved therefrom only when the pawls are in engagement with therack. This arrangement prevents any one from leaving the book in opencondition without leaving visible evidence of the fact.

The end of the shaft 12 is supported by means of a tongue 75 struck outof the plate 62. The shaft is provided with a stop member 16 whichabutsor engages the left-hand side of a lug ."l, as seen in Figure 9, toprevent movement of the shaft and lever beyond a predetermined point inone direction. The lug 1'! is struck out from the lever 61. Movement ofthe lever in the other direction is limited by the end 78 of the leverwhich abuts. the side wall of the housing H when the pawls are fullydisengaged from the teeth of the rack. The lever is provided with ashoulder 19 against which a permanent lock may be positioned.

When the lever is in locked position, a space is provided adjacentthereto for the reception of a permanent lock. The lever is protectedagainst tampering because the stop member 16 which abuts against the111g 11 prevents any movement of the lever from its locked position. Theonly way possible to move the stop member 16 is by rotation of the shaft12, and this can be accom plished only by use of the proper key.

Although we have described our invention in considerable detail, it willbe understood that the description thereof is illustrative rather thanrestrictive, as many details may be modified or changed withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, we donot desire to be restricted to the exact details of constructiondescribed, except as limited-by the appended claims.

We claim: I

1. In a loose-leaf binder, aback plate provided with a plurality ofslots, a pair of transversely movable compression members, a bar adaptedto control the transverse movement of said compression members, a secondbar rigidly secured to said first mentioned bar by means of a pluralityof studs, said studs passing through said slots to limit the movement ofsaid bars, projections on said second mentioned bar, and apair ofrelatively offset pawl members engageable with said projections toprevent movement of said bars in one direction.

2. In a loose-leaf binder, a back plate,- a longitudinally movable barpositioned adjacent one surface of said back plate, a pair oftransversely movable compression members, the movement of saidcompression members being controlled by the longitudinal movement ofsaid bar, a second bar rigidly secured to said first mentioned bar, saidsecond bar being positioned adjacent the opposite surface of said backplate, a plurality of teeth on said second mentioned bar, and a pair ofsuperimposed pawl members engageable with said teeth to control themovement of said bars in one direction, said pawls being relativelyoffset to increase the fineness of adjustment of said compressionmembers.

3. In a loose-leaf binder, a back member, a pair of compression membersmovable transversely relative to said back member, a bar connected tosaid compression members and movable longitudinally of said back memberwhen said compression members are moved transversely, a rack rigidlyconnected to said bar, a pair of relatively offset pawl membersengageable with said rack to prevent longitudinal movement of said'barin one direction, and a single lever operable to move both of said pawlmembers into and out of engagement with said rack.

4. In a loose-leaf binder, a pair of transversely movable compressionmembers, means to control the outward movement of said compressionmembers, said means including a bar provided with a plurality of teethon one edge and a pair of superimposed pawl members adapted to engagesaid teeth alternately during the inward movement of said compressionmembers to provide positive stops against outward movement at aplurality of closely spaced points, and a single lever operable to movesaid'superimposed pawl members out of engagement with said teeth topermit outward movement of said compression members.

5. In a loose-leaf binder, a back member, a pair of compression membersmovable transversely of each other, a rack positioned adjacent said backmember and operatively connected to said compression members, a pair ofpawls superimposed in planes parallel to said back member, said pawlsbeing pivoted on said back member and engageable with said rack atintervals less than the distance between adjacent teeth of said rack toprevent outward movement of said compression members, and key operatedmeans, for movingsaid pawls into and out of locking position.

6. In a loose-leaf binder, a pair of compression members, a rackconnected to said compression members, a stationary back plate, a pairof superimposed pawls pivoted to said back plate, spring means tendingto move said pawls into engagement with said rack to prevent outwardmovement of said compression members, a lever pivoted to said backplate, said lever engaging said pawl members, and key operated meansengaging said lever for moving said pawls out of engagement with saidrack against the action of said spring.

'7. Ina loose-leaf binder, a pair of compression members, a rackconnected to said compression members, a back member, a pair ofsuperimposed pawl members connected to said back member, a lever pivotedto said back member, said lever engaging said pawl members, and a singlekey operated means engaging said lever for moving said pawl members intoand out of engagement with said rack.

8. In a loose-leaf binder, a pair of compression members, a rackconnected to said compression members, a back member, a pair ofsuperimposed pawl members pivoted to said back member, a lever pivotedto said back member and having a pin in engagement with said pawlmembers, and a key operated shaft, said lever being operable by means ofsaid key operated shaft.

9. In a loose-leaf binder, a pair of compression members, a rackconnected to said compression members, a back member, a pair of pawlmembers pivoted to said back member, and a lever pivoted to said backmember and engageable with said pawl members to move said pawl membersinto and out of engagement with said rack.

10. In a loose-leaf binder, a pair of compression members, a rackconnected to said compression members, a back member, a pair ofsuperimposed pawl members pivoted to said back member, said pawl membersbeing provided with a notch in one edge of each, and a lever having aprojection engaged in said notches, said lever being operable to movesaid pawl members into and out of engagement with said rack.

11. In a loose-leaf binder, a pair of transversely movable compressionmembers, each of said compression members having an upstanding side wallalong its outer edge, a plate member adjacent each of said side Walls, apair of cover members, each of said cover members having an edgepermanently secured between one of said side walls and its adjacentplate member to form two upstanding units extending along the outeredges of said compression members, a post bar hingedly fixed to one ofsaid units, an unattached post bar adapted to cooperate with saidhingedly fixed post bar to retain a plurality of sheets in orderlyarrangement, and means on said other unit for positively retaining saidunattached post bar in engagement with said last mentioned unit.

12. In a loose-leaf binder, a pair of compression members, a rackoperatively connected to said compression members, a back plate, a pairof pawls adapted to engage said rack, said pawls being superimposed inplanes parallel to said back plate, a lever pivoted on said back plateand engaging said pawls, and means to move said lever on said back plateto move said pawls into and out of engagement with said rack.

13. In a loose-leaf binder, a flat back plate, a pair of compressionmembers movable trans versely relative to said back plate, a rackpositioned against said back plate and operatively connected to saidcompression members, and a pair of superimposed pawls offset relativelyto each other and movable in planes parallel to the plane of said rackand said back plate, said pawl members being engageable with said rackto control the outward movement of said compression members.

14. In a loose-leaf binder, a back member, a pair of compression membersmovable transversely relative to said back member, a flat plate memberpositioned against said back member, a plurality of projections on oneedge of said plate 5' member, and a pair of superimposed pawl membersonset relatively to each other, said plate member being operativelyconnected to said compression members independently of said pawlmembers, said pawl members being engageable with said projectionstocontrol the outward movement of said compression members.

15. In a loose-leaf binder, a pair of compression members, each of saidcompression members having an upstanding side wall at its outerlongitudinal edge, a plate member adjacent each of said side walls, apair of cover members, each of said cover members having one edgesecured between one of said side walls and its adjacent plate member,one of said plate members having a flange overhanging the top of theside wall of one of said compression members, a post bar hingedly fixedto said other compression member, and a detachable post bar having sheetretaining prongs adapted to cooperate with said fixed post bar to retaina plurality of sheets in orderly arrangement, the top edge of saiddetachable post bar engaging with said flange to prevent accidentaldisplacement of the sheets.

16. In a loose-leaf binder, a pair of cover members, a pair of platemembers secured to the inner edges of said cover members, said covermembers being adapted to move said plate members transversely of eachother, a post bar hingedly fixed to one of said plate members, anunattached post bar adapted to cooperate with said hingedly fixed postbar to retain a plurality of sheets in orderly arrangement, a pluralityof projections on said unattached post bar, and means on said otherplate member engaging the projections on said unattached post bar forpositively retaining said unattached post bar against longitudinalmovement relative to said last mentioned plate member.

17. In a loose-leaf binder, a back member, a longitudinally movable barpositioned adjacent said back member, a pair of flanged compressionmemlbers connected to said bar and movable transversely by thelongitudinal movement of said bar, a rack rigidly secured to said bar, apawl member engageable with said rack to control movement of said bar inone direction, and a pair of detachable post bars provided with postsupon which a plurality of sheets may be impaled, said post bars beingadapted to retain one edge of a plurality of sheets between saidcompression members, and a plurality of projections on said post bars,said projections being adapted to engage the flanges of said compressionmembers to prevent accidental displacement of the sheets.

18. In a loose-leaf binder, a back member, a longitudinally movable barpositioned adjacent said back member, a pair of flanged compressionmembers connected to said bar and movable transversely by thelongitudinal movement of said bar, a pair of detachable post barsprovided with posts upon which a plurality of sheets may be impaled,said post bars being adapted to retain one edge of a plurality of sheetsbetween said compression members, and a plurality of projections on saidpost bars, said projections being adapted to engage the flanges of saidcompression members to prevent accidental displacement of the sheets.

19. In a loose-leaf binder, a back plate, a rack slidably secured tosaid back plate, a pair of relatively oiiset superimposed pawls securedto said back plate and pivoted to move in planes parallel to said backplate, and a pair of spring members mounted on said back plate, saidspring members normally urging said pawls into engagement with saidrack.

20. In a loose-leaf binder, a back plate, a rack secured to said backplate and movable longitudinally thereof in a plane parallel thereto, apair of relatively offset pawls pivoted to move in planes parallel tosaid back plate, and a pair of spring members secured to said backplate, said spring members normally urging said pawls into engagementwith said rack.

21. In a loose-leaf binder, a back plate, a rack secured to said backplate and movable longitudinally thereof in a plane parallel thereto, apair of relatively offset pawls pivoted to move in planes parallel tothe plane of said back plate, spring means urging said pawls intoengagement with said rack, and a lever operable to move both ofsaidpawls out of engagement with said rack against the action of saidspring means.

